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Maka tau

human history
  • Other Name

    Throwing Stone (English)

  • Description

    Maka tau. Throwing stone. This maka tau is made from poupou ana hifo mai luga (stalactite) and would have been used in war as a throwing weapon. When used during combat, it would be thrown at the enemy from as far away a distance as four meters. This maka tau is round, spherical and slightly ovoid. It has been flattened on one side, allowing it to sit stationary on flat surfaces.

    It is light brown in colour and has some patches that are lighter than others, revealing the white interior layers of the stalactite. Its exterior surface is very smooth and features only some superficial cracks and marks including two small gouges above the inscriptions. The maka tau was often used as a defending weapon in combat and if thrown correctly, could do real damage and even cause death.

  • Place
    Niue
  • Accession Number
    1931.580
  • Accession Date
    16 Nov 1931
  • Other Id

    16862.3 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

Maka tau, 1931.580, 16862.3, Photographed by Richard Ng,… … Read more

Images and documents

Images

  • Maka tau, 1931.580, 16862.3, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 1931.580, 16862.3, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 1931.580, 16862.3, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Maka tau, 1931.580, 16862.3, Photographed by Richard Ng, digital, 08 Jan 2019, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • stone, sling

Artefact

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